Popsicle Stick Puppets

Invest in simple puppets that keep on giving. These playthings motivate your child’s divergent thinking and dramatic play.

MATERIALS - click to buy
  1. Popsicle sticks, one for each puppet. If you don’t eat popsicles, you can use jumbo craft sticks, available here online from Amazon or at dollar stores.
  2. Fabric cut into pieces two to three times as wide as your popsicle stick, about 1-½ to 2 inches. We used pre-cut craft felt squares, which can be found here on Amazon or from your local craft stores
  3. Scissors - for adults to cut fabric
  4. White glue, like Elmer's Glue-All or Aleenes tacky glue for quick drying. See our Materials page our glue type explanations.
  5. Child-safe, washable, fine-point colored markers like these.
  6. Optional - Scraps of construction paper, spare trim, yarn in your choice of color, assorted sequins, or beads for decoration
  7. Optional - Wiggle eyes with self adhesive like those found here or glue-on wiggle eyes, it's your choice.
HOW TO
  1. Skilly Spark: Talk about how your child’s puppets can be anyone they want them to be: mothers, fathers, friends, pets, favorite characters ...
  2. Ask your child to draw eyes or glue on wiggle eyes at the top of the stick, leaving enough room for hair or a hat at the top.
  3. To add clothing, add a dot or two of glue on front of the stick.
  4. Now let's add the fabric. Wrap it around the stick, then glue it in place with a spot of glue on the back or front. Hold the fabric in place for a count of ten to be sure it sticks.
  5. Guide your child as they glue. You want them to do it themselves. You may have to show them how, but try not do it for them.  
  6. Let the puppet’s individuality shine by adding facial details such as hair, ears, eyebrows to its top using markers, yarn, fabric or paper scraps.
  7. If your kid wants to, accessorize! For example, glue a piece of ribbon as a belt, a piece of fabric for a bow tie, paper scraps for shoes, gems for earrings.
 
Keep the fun going
  • Create a themed puppet scene with a family of stick puppets, favorite story characters, or sports players. Use them to act out a familiar scene, such as family mealtime, a dramatic chapter or winning play. Or, discover an alien or fantastic creature from another world.